The sensation of mucus dripping into your throat can be distracting or irritating and may cause other problems, including a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Cecil Yeung, MD and Marcus Hershey, MD of the state-of-the-art Houston Sinus Surgery center, believes that effective treatment of post-nasal drip starts with an accurate diagnosis. If you live in the Houston area and you’re ready to end your drip, call his helpful staff or book your appointment online.
Special glands in your nose and throat continually produce about 1-2 quarts of mucus per day to protect and lubricate your nasal membranes. Mucus traps pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, and irritants such as dust and pollen.
Normally, the mucus drains from your nose and throat in small enough amounts that you swallow it without noticing. When you produce too much mucus, you can feel the mucus dripping into or accumulating at the back of your throat, a condition known as post-nasal drip.
Your post-nasal drip may be composed of either thin or thick secretion. Excessive thin secretions may be caused by:
Excessive thick secretions may be caused by:
In addition to the unpleasant sensation of increased nasal drainage, you may experience:
If your child has the symptoms of post-nasal drip, you should see Dr. Yeung right away to clear any possible foreign objects and get an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Conservative, over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for adults include decongestants (for short-term use only), antihistamines, and nasal sprays.
When your symptoms are bothersome, interfere with your sleep or quality of life, and don’t respond to OTC treatments, Dr. Yeung performs a thorough examination to determine the cause of your post-nasal drip.
Based on his findings, he tailors an individual treatment regimen for you that addresses any underlying issues, reduces symptoms, and provides long-term or permanent relief.
If post-nasal drip affects you, call Dr. Yeung’s helpful staff to set up a consultation or book one online.